A fear of returning home can affect everyday situations involving going back home, childhood home, moving back and returning home. It may lead to avoiding change, delaying plans, seeking reassurance, or keeping life unusually restricted so that the feared situation is less likely to arise.

Possible triggers

Beginning a journey home, approaching the front door or anticipating returning after time away.

Name origin

From Greek nostos (return home) and -phobia.

A fear of ridicule can affect everyday situations involving public humiliation, being made fun of, being mocked and ridicule. It may lead to putting things off, over-preparing, repeatedly checking, seeking reassurance, or turning down opportunities that feel too exposing.

Possible triggers

Speaking where others might mock you, recalling a humiliating remark or anticipating being made fun of.

Name origin

From Greek katagelaō (to ridicule) and -phobia.

Also known as

Catagelophobia

A fear of rivers can affect everyday situations involving crossing a river, flowing water, river current and river bank.

Possible triggers

Walking beside a river, approaching a riverbank or planning an activity near flowing river water.

Name origin

From Greek potamos (river) and -phobia.

The concern can involve robots themselves or their effects on society. The term is also used for a strong dislike of robots.

Possible triggers

Encountering a robot demonstration, seeing a robot move nearby or being asked to interact with one.

Name origin

Combines robot with -phobia (fear). Robot comes from Czech robota, meaning forced labour.

The prospect of ruin is the focus of this fear.

Possible triggers

Discussing a major loss, facing uncertainty about your livelihood or imagining your circumstances collapsing.

Name origin

Combines ate-, referring to ruin or a ruinous impulse, with -phobia (fear).

A fear of sacred objects or rituals can affect everyday situations involving holy object, religious ceremony, sacred place and religious ritual. It may lead to avoiding certain places, images, stories or times of day, checking surroundings, seeking reassurance, or staying away from reminders of the feared idea.

Possible triggers

Entering a ritual setting, encountering a sacred object or being invited to take part in a religious ceremony.

Name origin

From Greek hieros (sacred) and -phobia.

A fear of Satan or demonic forces can affect religious settings, media, darkness and situations containing demonic imagery or references. It may lead to avoiding certain places or stories, checking surroundings, seeking reassurance or changing routines because something feels connected with evil.

Possible triggers

Encountering demonic imagery, hearing a story involving Satan or watching a supernatural film.

Name origin

From Hebrew satan (adversary) and -phobia.

The concern is developing scabies, rather than skin disease in general.

Possible triggers

Hearing about a scabies case, reading information about it or worrying about possible contact.

Name origin

Combines scabies with -phobia (fear). Scabies comes from a Latin word for an itchy skin condition, related to scabere (to scratch).

A fear of school can affect everyday situations involving school attendance, classroom, school anxiety and lessons. It may lead to putting things off, over-preparing, repeatedly checking, seeking reassurance, or turning down opportunities that feel too exposing.

Possible triggers

Getting ready for school, approaching the school gates or anticipating a classroom day.

Name origin

From Greek didaskaleion (school) and -phobia.

Also known as

Scolionophobia

A fear of severe storms or tornadoes can affect everyday situations involving weather warning, severe storm, natural disaster and tornado.

Possible triggers

Receiving a severe-storm warning, seeing tornado footage or anticipating a storm approaching your area.

Name origin

From Greek lilaps (whirlwind) and -phobia.